Ekitike all over again! Liverpool sniffing around Newcastle's €40m Gordon replacement | OneFootball

Liverpool require wingers. Of that there is little doubt.

One of the focuses for the upcoming transfer window is finding players with that explosive one-v-one quality out wide. That’s the reason why so many wingers - from Yan Diomande to Nico Williams have been suggested as potential Anfield arrivals.

Now a report in AS claims that the outgoing Premier League champions have been sniffing around Newcastle’s preferred Anthony Gordon replacement.

Victor Munoz, 22, is expected to complete a deal to join the Magpies in the near future. It would appear that the Geordies have won the race for the Spain FIFA World Cup squad member over guarantees for playing time.

Real Madrid sold their homegrown academy prospect to Osasuna last summer in a highly-favourable deal. It included a buyback clause which Los Blancos have now declined to use.

Munoz therefore is on his way to St. James’ Park - barring a late intervention on the deal by Liverpool as is what happened in the case of Hugo Ekitike last summer.

Liverpool have been looking at Victor Munoz deal

“If there was one thing the World Cup player was clear about, it was his desire for consistent playing time at his next club, something he seems to have found at Newcastle,” the report reads.

“This was his sole concern once Real Madrid decided to let his agent, Juanma López, and the player himself decide his destination. “Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as some Premier League teams, inquired about him, but the idea of ​​joining the club from the north of England has always been his strongest suit.

“The situation was under control for the Real Madrid management thanks to the buy-back clause and the right of first refusal that shaped the agreement with Osasuna in the summer of 2025.

“Paying the clause was never even considered during these two months in which the player's future has been the talk of the town.”

Víctor Muñoz: Situation summary

Víctor Muñoz left Real Madrid for Osasuna in a partly shared‑rights deal in July 2025 and is now on course for a big step up, with Newcastle pushing hard to close an agreement.

Osasuna signed Muñoz from Real Madrid on 11 July 2025, paying around €6m in total for 50% of his rights and giving Madrid a significant sell‑on position and buy‑back protection.

He penned a long‑term contract running to 2030, with Madrid retaining an option to re‑purchase him during the first three seasons of that deal.

The move followed a breakout year with Castilla and a brief first‑team debut, Madrid effectively monetising but not severing ties with one of Valdebebas’ quickest wide players.

At Osasuna, Muñoz has been used almost exclusively as a high‑and‑wide winger, hugging the touchline to isolate full‑backs, stretch the block and open interior lanes for runners.

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€40m Munoz makes Spain World Cup squad

He is a classic throwback wide man: explosive over the first few metres, direct, and extremely aggressive in 1v1s, constantly looking to drive at his marker, hit the byline and either cut back or flash balls across the six‑yard box.

His speed has seen him nicknamed a “Formula 1” winger in Spain and he is also a major outlet in transition, carrying the ball long distances to relieve pressure when Osasuna are defending deep.

In a difficult 2025‑26 campaign for Osasuna, Muñoz emerged as one of the few genuine positives, scoring six league goals and adding two assists while often operating in a low‑volume attacking side.

That production, coupled with his ball‑carrying and work rate out of possession, earned him a long‑term contract, a place in Spain’s World Cup squad and fast‑escalating interest from bigger clubs.

Newcastle have now moved from monitoring to active negotiation, having tabled a bid in the mid‑30s millions and opened talks with Osasuna, who are protected by a reported €40m release clause.

Reporting in Spain and England consistently frames a deal as “close” rather than done, with all sides working towards an agreement and Newcastle viewing Muñoz as a strategic replacement for Anthony Gordon and a long‑term wide outlet.